
Today (August 26th) famed songwriter, Ellie Greenwich died after suffering from a heart attack at the age of 68 in the New York Roosevelt Hospital. Eliie was battling pneumonia.
Among the most famous songs that list Greenwich as a songwriter are the Ronettes’ “Be My Baby” and “Baby, I Love You,” the Shangri-La’s “Leader of the Pack,” the Dixie Cups’ “Chapel of Love,” Tina & Ike Turner’s “River Deep, Mountain High” and the Crystals’ “Then He Kissed Me” and “Da Doo Ron Ron.” Discovered by famed songwriters Leiber and Stoller, Greenwich’s other major hits include Manfred Mann’s “Doo Wah Diddy Diddy,” Darlene Love’s “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” and Tommy James’ and the Shondells’ “Hanky Panky.” Greenwich and Barry also helped nurture the career of a fledgling singer-songwriter named Neil Diamond, and Greenwich and Barry produced and contributed background vocals to Diamond hits like “Kentucky Woman,” “Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon,” “Cherry, Cherry,” “Red, Red Wine” and “I’m a Believer.”
I don’t know that there is anyone out there who hasn’t heard Ellie’s music. She was an amazing talent. Ellie Greenwich has left behind a legacy and she will be missed greatly. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family.
R.I.P. Ellie Greenwich
[images by WENN.com, eil.com]